Monti reveals manifesto but keeps party choice to himself

Italy has not got the full Monti. The outgoing technocrat prime minister Mario Monti has published a political manifesto, but he hasn’t backed any party in next year’s parliamentary election. The pragmatic move falls short of the engagement some had expected, but it may turn out to be shrewd.

Pressure had been building on Mr. Monti to declare his political intentions since his early resignation announcement on Dec. 8. He had been expected to throw his weight behind a grouping of centrist parties. Instead, he produced a broad list of reforms that he wants the next government to pursue, and signalled his willingness to serve or lead any coalition that embraces them.